Israel threatens Hezbollah chief, warns terror group could lead to Lebanon’s destruction

Israel’s defense minister warns that Hezbollah could force IDF to resume large-scale operations in Lebanon, threatens to eliminate the Shi’ite terror chief.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) threatened Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Tuesday, saying he would “pay with the loss of his head,” as he warned that Israel could resume broader military action in Lebanon if Beirut fails to rein in the Iran-backed group.

Katz made the remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony at Mount Herzl, where he tied Israel’s current campaign to the country’s broader security struggle.

“Between all of Israel’s wars there is a clear, direct line,” he said. “The State of Israel still fights for its existence and for its future.”

Katz then issued a direct warning to Qassem, who took over Hezbollah after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli defense chief said Qassem would “pay with the loss of his head,” adding that Hezbollah’s leadership and the heads of the “axis of evil” “dwell together at the bottom of hell.”

The Defense Minister also said Israel’s main goal in Lebanon remained the disarmament of Hezbollah.

“The supreme objective of the campaign in Lebanon is the disarming of Hezbollah and the removal of the threat over the northern communities.”

“If the government of Lebanon continues not to meet its commitments, the IDF will do so through continued military activity.”

The threat came days after a US-brokered 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect, part of a broader diplomatic push linked to the US-Iran track.

Washington is also set to host a second round of ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high, with Israeli forces tightening their hold over parts of southern Lebanon and warning residents to stay away from a broad swath of villages and areas near the Litani River, underscoring the fragility of the truce.

Katz’s latest warning also follows earlier threats he made this month against Qassem over Hezbollah attacks during the Passover period, signaling that Israel continues to treat the Hezbollah chief as a potential target even while diplomacy is underway.

Lebanon’s leadership has meanwhile pushed for the ceasefire to hold.

President Joseph Aoun recently said that President Donald Trump had shown “full understanding” for Lebanon’s ceasefire-related requests and reiterated his goal of deploying the Lebanese army along the southern border.